Changing Terminology from ESL to EAL ( 11 KB)
Manitoba is implementing a change from using the term English as a Second Language (ESL) programming to English as an Additional Language (EAL) programming. Both terms (ESL and EAL) are used interchangeably on this website during the transition period.

Adult English as an Additional Language programs are funded and coordinated by Manitoba Labour and Immigration, Adult Language Training Branch. Contact them for information on programs, English language assessments, and teacher support materials.

Late in 2001 Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth launched a formal review of ESL programming as part of the K-S4 Education Agenda for Student Success. The primary goal was to find ways to strengthen ESL programming in Manitoba’s schools.

A number of research and consultation initiatives followed, leading to the release of the Report on the English as a Second Language Program Review: The Renewal of Kindergarten to Senior 4 ESL Programming in Manitoba (December 2003) . This report put forth eleven recommendations which were discussed in a second series of consultations with schools, partner organizations, and community groups. The response from all stakeholders was unanimously positive and supportive of all the recommendations. All those who participated were clearly aware of the increasing diversity of Manitobans and the need to improve our ability to meet the needs of linguistically diverse learners at a time when immigration is increasing and plays such an important role in our economic and social development. For further information and related documents, see Background: The K-S4 ESL Program Review.

In May of 2005, the Minister released the Department’s Kindergarten to Senior ESL Action Plan 2005-2008 ( 94 KB), which provides details concerning the implementation of the recommendations put forth in Report on the English as a Second Language Program Review: The Renewal of Kindergarten to Senior 4 ESL Programming in Manitoba (December 2003). Regular updates respecting the progress in implementing of the Kindergarten to Senior 4 ESL Action Plan will be posted.

Highlights of the progress that has been made to date include:

• Support for ESL programming through the ESL Student Support Grant has been increased to $750 per student for the 2005-2006 school year from $660 when the ESL Program Review was launched. Additional enhancements and a restructuring of ESL support as recommended are planned over the next two years.
• Establishment of a team to develop a Manitoba ESL curriculum support document and provincial guidelines for the initial reception, assessment and monitoring of ESL learners. Manitoba will draw on developments in Canada, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom in this area.
• Piloting of a Senior Years ESL course in the 2005-2006 school year. Letters inviting schools to pilot the course were sent in April 2005.
• Adolescent and Young Adult Refugee Students with War-Affected/Disrupted Schooling Backgrounds: A research project was launched in April of 2004 focusing on adolescent and young adult students of refugee origins and with war-affected and disrupted schooling backgrounds. This research project will assist the Department and schools in gathering information about their experiences in our schools and current programming efforts, as well as explore new strategies that may be more effective in meeting the needs of these especially vulnerable learners.
• Commencing in 2005-2006 school year, the Department and Manitoba Labour and Immigration will work collaboratively to move towards the adoption of a new term, English as an Additional Language (EAL), to refer to English language programming for linguistically diverse learners in both K-S4 and adult programs.

Background: The K-S4 ESL Program Review (2002-2004)

One of the priorities of Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth and schools is improving opportunities for all learners to experience educational success. To do so requires that we be responsive to the linguistic and cultural diversity of learners in our schools. English as Second Language (ESL) learners are an important part of the diversity of our schools. Over 453 public schools and approximately one third of independent schools in Manitoba reported having ESL learners in their school community within the last three school years.

In 2001-2002, Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth launched a review of ESL programming as part of the implementation of the priorities identified in the Manitoba K-S4 Education Agenda for Student Success, 2002-2006 (see the K-S4 Education Agenda for Student Success). The intent was to focus attention on the needs of diverse learners and to re-energize efforts aimed at reducing educational disparities. The primary goal was to find ways to strengthen ESL programming in Manitoba’s schools.

A team representing the departments of Education, Citizenship and Youth, Advanced Education and Training, and Labour and Immigration undertook the ESL Program Review. The review is comprised of three distinct phases.

• The first phase was a survey of the field in 2001-2002. The results of the survey are summarized in the document Program Review 2002: Phase I – Survey ( 374 KB).
• The second phase included series of consultations from March 2001 to November 2002 and the opportunity to send in written submissions. This phase also included a review of the literature on ESL and policies, practices, and initiatives in ESL in other jurisdictions in Canada, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Based on the survey, consultations, and research, the Program Review Team developed a report and recommendations for strengthening ESL in Manitoba schools.
• The third phase was launched with the release of the Report on the English as a Second Language Program Review: The Renewal of Kindergarten to Senior 4 ESL Programming in Manitoba (December 2003). A letter ( 19 KB) describing the next phase with an executive summary of the report was sent to all schools in December 2003. It summarizes the major findings and includes eleven recommendations intended to improve the accessibility and quality of ESL programming in Manitoba. From January to September 2004 Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth consulted with schools, partner organizations, and community groups to share the report, and to discuss the findings and recommendations made by the ESL Program Review Team. The results of the consultation will guide the development of the departmental implementation plan, which is expected to be shared with the field and parents within the 2004-2005 school year.